Physics Revisited

The Birth of Particle Physics. Laurie M. Brown and Lillian Hoddeson, eds. Cambridge University Press, New York, 1986. 448 pp., illus. $18.95 PB. In most instances one would welcome a new edition of a symposium held nearly seven years ago about as much as one would welcome a subscription to a newspaper seven years old. This book, however, is a valuable exception. The symposium, which was held at the Fermi Laboratory in May of 1980, focused on the history of modern particle physics and such a his

Written byJeremy Bernstein

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I found the contents truly fascinating. Five chapters contain the presentations and discussions of some 40 particle physicists and historians and philosophers of science from around the world. The topics include early x-ray discoveries, quantum field theory, the development of meson physics in Japan, and much more.

In addition to being a valuable information source on particle physics, this book provides a deeper look at the more general scientific process. I was left with the impression that mixing professional scientists and professional philosophers in such a symposium doesn't quite work. As one of the physicist participants noted "When I hear words in a physics meeting about ontology, it makes me cringe." Note also the following lunar observation by the Japanese historian and philosopher of science Takehiko Takabayasi: "Thus Taketanu formulated the three stage theory … according to which our recognition of nature proceeds by repeated cycles of phenomenological, substantialistic, and ...

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